Image via Complex Original
Whatever a rapper's reason to put on for their city—pride, civic responsibility, trolling for a fan base, the way a Braves cap looks perfect on tilt—nearly every one does. Rap is filled with references to the blocks, neighborhoods, and cities that helped raise rappers. So much so that you might sit back and listen to an album like The Chronic and imagine you're riding down Slauson Ave. Or you might bump Illmatic and feel like you can practically touch the concrete of the Queensbridge projects.
Over time, rappers' hometowns become a part of their narrative; sometimes their sound even becomes associated with the region. But here's the thing: Not every rapper was actually born in the cities, towns, or boroughs they rep. That doesn't mean they're faking the funk, it just means they were born and lived their early life in places other than what they talk about in their songs. If you don't know, now you know: Here 20 Rappers Who Aren't From Where You Think They're From. Represent, represent!
Nelly
Where People Think They're From: St. Louis, Missouri
Where They're Really From: Austin, Texas
Nelly was born in Austin because that's where his father was serving in the military. He also lived in Spain for a few years when his father was stationed there. Eventually, his parents divorced when he was seven-years-old and he moved to St. Louis around the same time. When he blew up, he really put St. Louis hip-hop on the map. Plus, the first song off his debut album, Country Grammar, was titled, "St. Louie."
Gucci Mane
Where People Think They're From: Atlanta, Georgia
Where They're Really From: Bessemer, Alabama
Gucci was born in the small town of Bessemer before moving to Atlanta in the fourth grade. Still, in the past few years he has become one of the premier acts coming out of Atlanta.
Ludacris
Where People Think They're From: Atlanta, Georgia
Where They're Really From: Champaign, Illinois
After being born in Illinois, Ludacris didn't move to Atlanta until he was in his high school years. Ironically, two of his songs are "Welcome To Atlanta" and "Southern Hospitality."
Wiz Khalifa
Where People Think They're From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Where They're Really From: Minot, North Dakota
Like many people on this list, Wiz's father was serving in the military which is why he was born in Minot. He went on to live in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan before moving to Pittsburgh.
No Malice
Where People Think They're From: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Where They're Really From: Bronx, New York
Despite one of their best songs being titled "Virgina," both of the Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx. Their family relocated when Pusha was about two and Malice was seven.
Kurupt
Where People Think They're From: Los Angeles, California
Where They're Really From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Kurupt certainly didn't help ease East Coast/West Coast tensions when he and the Dogg Pound dropped "New York, New York." Ironically, Kurupt actually hailed from Philadelphia and didn't move to California until he was 16. However, he didn't forget his roots, his album Kuruption! featured an East Coast side and a West Coast side.
Wu-Tang Clan
Where People Think They're From: Staten Island, New York
Where They're Really From: Brooklyn, New York (RZA, GZA, U-God, Masta Killa, Ol' Dirty Bastard) & Bronx, New York (Inspectah Deck)
Despite giving Staten Island a great nickname (Shaolin), many of the members of the Clan aren't originally from Staten Island but instead hail from Brooklyn—or in Deck's case, The Bronx.
Brother Ali
Where People Think They're From: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Where They're Really From: Madison, Wisconsin
After being born in Madison, Ali spent his early years moving from city to city in the Midwest before his family settled in Minneapolis when he was about 15.
Machine Gun Kelly
Where People Think They're From: Cleveland, Ohio
Where They're Really From: Houston, Texas
After being born in Houston to missionary parents, MGK lived all over the world including in Egypt and Germany as well as Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver. In fact, after living in Egypt as a young child he learned to speak Arabic before he learned English. He eventually settled in Cleveland when he was 15. He affirmed his love for The Rock and Roll Capital of the World when he dropped his viral hit, "Cleveland."
Devin the Dude
Where People Think They're From: Houston, Texas
Where They're Really From: St. Petersburg, Florida
Devin The Dude didn't move to Texas until he was in the fourth grade, and even then he moved back and forth between New Boston and Houston before finally settling in Houston after finishing high school.
Xzibit
Where People Think They're From: Los Angeles, California
Where They're Really From: Detroit, Michigan
After being born in Detroit, Xzibit was raised by his mother after his father left his family. But his mother passed away when he was only nine-years-old. At about the age of 10 he moved to Albuquerque, NM to live with his father but by age 17 he moved to L.A. to live with his sister.
Prodigy
Where People Think They're From: Queensbridge, New York
Where They're Really From: Hempstead, New York
People tend to associate Prodigy with QB because of Mobb Deep's music and the fact that Havoc is actually from there, but P is originally from Hempstead.
Gunplay
Where People Think They're From: Miami, Florida
Where They're Really From: El Paso, Texas
As a baby, Gunplay moved from El Paso but not to Miami. Instead, he went to the Bronx and spent his early childhood there before eventually moving to Miami.
French Montana
Where People Think They're From: The Bronx, New York
Where They're Really From: Rabat, Morocco
French Montana emigrated to the United States with his mother and brother when he was about 12 or 13.
The D.O.C.
Where People Think They're From: Los Angeles, California
Where They're Really From: Dallas, Texas
D.O.C. actually spent most of his life and early career in Dallas. He didn't even move to L.A. until his Fila Fresh Crew broke up and he got down with N.W.A. But because of his affiliation with the group, he's often seen as one of the best West Coast spitters ever.
2Pac
Where People Think They're From: Los Angeles, California
Where They're Really From: Manhattan, New York
Despite being known for songs like "California Love" and "To Live and Die In L.A." and being apart of the infamous "East Coast/West Coast rivalry," Pac was born in New York and lived in Baltimore for a stretch. He didn't move to California until he was a teenager.
Waka Flocka Flame
Where People Think They're From: Atlanta, Georgia
Where They're Really From: Queens, New York
Not only was Waka born in Queens, but his family was well connected in the New York rap scene with his uncle A&Ring one of LL Cool J's albums. However, he moved to Atlanta at the age of nine.
Jim Jones
Where People Think They're From: Harlem, New York
Where They're Really From: The Bronx, New York
Despite being born in The Bronx, Jones was always drawn to Harlem and would take the train from 176th Street and Jerome Avenue down to 110th Street and Lexington Avenue. He would later move into the Taft Projects in Harlem.
Big Boi
Where People Think They're From: Atlanta, Georgia
Where They're Really From: Savannah, Georgia
Big Boi was born and raised in Savannah, Big Boi didn't move to Atlanta until he was in high school. That's when he ended up meeting Andre 3000 and forming OutKast. The duo would go on to title their second album ATLiens.
Eminem
Where People Think They're From: Detroit, Michigan
Where They're Really From: St. Joseph, Missouri
After being born in St. Joseph, Eminem and his mother moved between various cities in Missouri before eventually moving to Warren, Michigan. Em didn't move to Detroit until he was about 12.
